Matchup Preview: Maryland

In terms of yardage, David Blough has put up the best numbers by a Purdue quarterback through three games since 2007 and he looks to be getting more and more comfortable each week. He limited his turnovers last week to just one pick, and that will need to be the case this week. The Terps had three interceptions last week, but are smarting a bit as starting safety Denzel Conyers will be out of the lineup due to injury. He will be replaced by junior Josh Woods, who is making his first start of his career. Still, William Likely III, a two-time first team All-Big Ten DB, looms as a big-play threat on both offense and defense as he has seven career INTs. The Terps also have eight sacks to date this year, and can apply some pressure up front.

Advantage: Purdue

Purdue running game vs. Maryland rush defense

This may be the deciding factor in Saturday's game in terms of the Boilermakers' opportunity to pull the upset. Purdue's run game was satisfactory (in terms of yardage) against Nevada, but the Boilermakers' three fumbles almost could have been lethal. For Purdue to win, Markell Jones needs to do two things: Improve on last week's 124-yard rushing effort, and eliminate the turnovers. Maryland has good size up front, and has given up 155.3 yards per contest, but it is very difficult to determine much based on the Terps' sub-par level of competition. If the Boilermakers can keep the hosts off-balance, it will put up enough points to make this a four-quarter game.

Advantage: Even

Maryland passing game vs. Purdue pass defense

With five sacks last week, Purdue showed the ability to get pressure against Nevada. But that might not be as much of the issue this week as the Terps like to use the RPO (run/pass option) in their arsenal. Senior quarterback Perry Hills is expected to start, coming off a shoulder injury suffered in the second overtime two weeks ago against UCF. And he has been more accurate to date this season (61.7 completion percentage) than in the past and he has been efficient running the offense. Maryland, the only Power 5 team without a turnover so far in 2016, may average "just" 189 yards per game through the air, but it will be important that the Boilermakers don't give up the big play.

Advantage: Maryland (slight)

Maryland running game vs. Purdue rush defense.

Co-defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman talked about how Purdue must be very disciplined defending the Terps' option-oriented attack. According to Freeman, Purdue has cut down on missed tackles each week, and that trend needs to continue if the Boilermakers want to keep Maryland from ripping off large chunks of yardage. Maryland has a three-, soon to be four-, headed monster in the run game with true freshman Lorenzo Harrison, Trey Edmunds and Ty Johnson averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Harrison's 69.3 rush yards per game ranks him fourth nationally among freshman. The return of power-back Wes Brown from a three-game suspension gives the Terps a thousand-yard (career) rusher it can call on. Hills is also effective in the run game, as is backup Tyrell Pigrome whose walk-off 24-yard scoring run gave Maryland its win its last outing against UCF.

Advantage: Maryland

Special Teams

Likely is one of the most dangerous return men in the country. And despite the impressive Purdue's performances last week in kickoff (Brian Lankford-Johnson) and punt (Malik Kimbrough) returns it is hard not to give Maryland the nod on that fact alone. Teams are kicking away from Likely, and one can understand why as he averaged 17.7 yards per punt return in 2015, including taking two back for touchdowns. His lone kick return in 2016 netted 64 yards. Maryland punter Wade Lees, who is a 28-year old Australian, does something that Darrell Hazell says he has never seen in his decades in college football: Lee punts the ball with either foot depending on which way his is rolling out while rugby punting. J.D. Dellinger may have shaken off some of the freshman jitters by connecting on a 36-yard field goal last week, and his ability to come through on the road is untested yet.

Advantage: Maryland (slight)

Intangibles

While Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in unlikely to be filled to capacity (52,801) for Homecoming, Coach DJ Durkin has generated excitement in his first season in College Park. Despite coming in as a defensive guy (he served as coordinator last year for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and the previous season at Florida) it is his offense that will present the biggest challenge for Purdue. There is positive energy around the program, and the opportunity to showcase it to some extent with alumni present will be tough for the Boilermakers to overcome.